The Golden Boy

by J Darcy

Except, when he usually got good sleep, he didn’t wake up with a massive hangover. He supposed everything in life had tradeoffs.

  Cade cleared his throat and ran a hand through his messy hair. “Yeah. Sorry that I uh…” He waved around her living room, struggling to find the right words, “Sort of took over, I guess.”

  Kellie grabbed the yellow blanket from the floor beside the couch and began to fold it. Apparently, drunk Cade was a restless sleeper, if losing his sock and blanket in the process was any indication. “It’s okay.” She began, her voice soft, “It happens to the best of us.”

  He nodded dumbly, unsure of what to say. “Thank you for letting me stay the night. I’m sorry if I inconvenienced you or did anything to make you uncomfortable.”

  She simply shrugged. “Was I expecting you? No. But all I was planning on doing was watching Netflix and well, you were just as entertaining as watching The Office for the fifteenth time.”

  “Well, I’m glad I provided you with some entertainment, then.” He hoped—no, prayed—that she was teasing him. If he said or did anything to make their relationship worse, he didn’t know if he would be able to handle it.

  With a deep breath, he rose to his feet and slowly began the cleanup process. There wasn’t much, of course—he fixed her throw pillows, recycled his empty bottle, and slid back into his shoes and jacket. He could feel her watching from the armchair, studying his every movement.

  “I’ll go ahead and leave. Give you back your weekend.” He explained, moving to the front door on uneasy feet. He just needed to survive an Uber ride back to his place and then he could fall asleep on his bed. Maybe, he’d forget this ever happened.

  Kellie cleared her throat and stood up, moving towards him on quick feet. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?”

  Cade was very sure. As much as he appreciated her offer, the thought of sitting in a car with her for at least another fifteen minutes scared the crap out of him. He already struggled to find the right words to say to her on a daily basis, let alone after spending the night on her sofa like a drunken fool. So, he shook his head and waved his phone.

  “That’s nice of you but I’ll just call an Uber,” He said, before opening the app and calling the ride. Once he saw that his car was three minutes away, he glanced back to Kellie, unsure of what to say.

  What was there to say? He apologized, he thanked her, and now he was getting the hell out. He absolutely did not want to delve into anything he could have said the night before—hopefully, it wasn’t anything too traumatizing. Cade assumed if it was, Kellie would have mentioned it.

  He could just imagine her sweet voice telling him that he puked on her bed or cried about the injustices in the world. Kellie was relatively quiet, so he took that as a good sign. Apparently, he hadn’t done anything too mortifying.

  “Thank you again.” He sounded pathetic. Well, he was pathetic, so that was nothing new. “Really.”

  Kellie, to her credit, just offered him a soft smile and a wave. “Go home and get some sleep, Cade.”

  That was exactly his plan. Moments later, when Patricia in a black Suburban pulled up, he said one final goodbye to Kellie before practically running out of the home. Only when he was settled into his ride, staring at the glittering sun of the Los Angeles Saturday morning, did he think about how much of an idiot he really was.

  What the hell had he been thinking? Granted, he was drunk, but even inebriated Cade was supposed to know better than that. Now, he got to think about all the ways he had further destroyed his relationship with Kellie. It was as if no matter what he did, he managed to put his foot in his mouth.

  He wallowed in that knowledge for most of the ride, until he realized that it would do nothing for him. Wallow in his own misery was what caused him to get drunk—and as a result, visit Kellie—meaning he needed a new alternative. Preferably, this time, a solution that would once again put them on the path towards friendship.

  So, with shaky hands, he sent her a text inviting her over to his place for dinner. The last time they did dinner, things were good—even if only for a little while. Now, he knew how difficult being friends was, and he was finally privy to his own feelings. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to admit his true feelings—or honestly, had the balls to—but at least they could talk through his childish behavior with TJ.

  Not to mention, the previous evening and his unannounced drunken arrival.

  And just after he had mentally prepared himself for surely many hours until she responded to his invitation, his phone pinged. He took a deep breath and read her response, unbelieving of the words.

  She said yes.

  ◆◆◆

  After arriving home from Kellie’s place, Cade slept like a dead man, not even bothering to change out of yesterday’s clothes before collapsing on top of the blankets on his bed. He slept for at least another four hours, before eventually waking up to the sound of a dog barking. His closest neighbor had just adopted a puppy, and while the dog was adorable—and made him want one—it also never shut up.

  But, given that it was midday, it was best for Cade to get up anyway. He took a quick shower and then went to work straightening up the place. His house wasn’t necessarily messy, but it benefitted from a quick clean. He did some long-neglected laundry, vacuumed his floors, and even cleaned up the puddle of protein powder that he consistently added to beside his blender.

  Only when he thought the place looked decent did he even contemplate what to cook for Kellie. He had some decent skills in the kitchen, and from experience, knew Kellie wasn’t a food snob. Unfortunately, one look in his fridge and cupboards told him that a trip to the store was necessary, and that small excursion put his meal preparation on pause.

  That trip to the store—as well as the memory of discussing pizza—inspired him to make them flatbread. He picked up some delicious looking cured meats, the freshest mozzarella he could find, and a variety of vegetables that would work perfectly for both toppings on the pizza and for a nutritious side salad. Given that they were supposed to be eating well for the roles and training, he figured a homemade flatbread was a good alternative to any greasy, cheesy monstrosity he could order in.

  It didn’t mean he didn’t still want that cheesy monstrosity, though. But he couldn’t dwell on those dreams, and instead focused on preparing their meal about an hour before the agreed upon time. Kellie was due to swing by his place at 7, and as soon as he had the flatbreads in the oven, he rushed to freshen up.

  Unsurprisingly, she knocked on his door right on time, clad in the same dress as earlier. Her long hair was tied into a delicate braid, and it at least subsided his desire to run his fingers through the soft, wavy locks. After taking her jacket and leading her inside, they settled into his kitchen, where he poured them each a glass of fruit-infused water.

  Under different circumstances, he’d offer her wine, but after showing up to her place like a drunken idiot and making a fool out of himself, he decided on a safer alternative. Not to mention, the strawberries he picked out looked mouth-watering, and with a touch of basil and lemon, the water was as good as anything he could find at a fancy hotel or spa.

  “Thanks for coming.” He began, while peeking into the oven to check on the state of their dinner, “I thought I’d thank you for taking care of me last night.” He paused as he shut the oven, turning back to face her, “And that maybe we could talk again.”

  Kellie just nodded. She watched him closely, her glass of water clutched between her fingers. His eyes landed on the baby pink nails and her collection of rings. He wished he could hold that hand. Maybe if he ever stopped making a fool out of himself. Oh, and hurting her, obviously.

  “Right. So, uh. I’m making us sausage and veggie flatbread. And I have some salad.” He waved to the wooden bowl at the table, shifting on his feet nervously, “I hope that’s ok.”

  She smiled softly. “Yeah, it sounds good. The flatbread smells really good, too.”

  Their conversation from that po
int was easy and relaxed, mainly focused on the filming that started in two and a half weeks, and Cade’s desire to adopt a dog. Kellie was supportive of the idea, but of course vocalized what had prevented Cade from doing so previously—dogs were a lot of work. He could barely take care of himself. Perhaps an animal was too big of a responsibility.

  Eventually, when the flatbread was ready, they sat at his table and dug into the meal. The salad was crisp and fresh, and the flatbread, while nowhere near as good as anything he could purchase at a restaurant, was certainly tasty for his grocery store ingredients and amateur cooking skills.

  “This is good!” Kellie smiled at him, her emerald green eyes sparkling in the soft lighting of the setting sun, “I didn’t take Cade Campbell as a chef.”

  He shrugged, trying his best at nonchalance. “I dabble when I can. I’ve had to get creative. My meal plan is just…” He groaned and ate a forkful of salad, “You know, mainly green vegetables and chicken or fish and then rice or quinoa. And I love chicken, and salmon, and all that, but it’s bland and boring after a while.”

  Kellie nodded and bit into her flatbread, laughing as a rogue slice of pepper dropped onto her dress. With quick hands, the flatbread was returned to the plate, and she began a frantic dab of water on the dress.

  “Shit. Can I get you anything?” Cade asked, wondering how he was supposed to react. But Kellie just laughed again before surprising him even further. With her eyes set on his, she brought the rogue pepper to her lips and devoured it.

  “All better now.” She explained, nothing remaining on her dress but a wet spot, “I don’t think it got any tomato sauce on me.”

  Cade just stared at her, eyes wide. She never failed to surprise him—or set his nerves afire. “Right. Well, uh, let me know if you need like… stain remover or something.”

  She shrugged. “It’ll be fine. I got this on clearance from Target or something.”

  God, she really was something. His last girlfriend was a runway model and used to boast about her frequent shopping sprees, dropping upwards of ten-thousand dollars a store. Granted, his relationship with Annabelle hadn’t lasted long—and turned him off from dating—but it reminded him of exactly what he wasn’t looking for in a woman.

  “Target is fun,” He found himself blurting out, still watching her closely. He did enjoy the store. He was only human. “Sometimes, I’ll get carried away and buy a NERF gun. Or a pack of baseball cards.”

  Kellie grinned. “That’s your impulse buy? What are you, twelve?”

  He shrugged. “The cards could eventually become collectibles, and the NERF guns are well, fun.” And they were. Maybe enjoying the foam pellets hitting his wall was childish, but it was an innocent habit. “What’s your impulse buy?”

  That question seemed to stump her. She chewed on her flatbread, clearly in thought, until finally those pretty green eyes lit up. “I have two.”

  “Go on.” He really needed to know. For his own curiosity, but also his desperate need to know what drove her wild.

  “Card stock.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Card stock?”

  She nodded, her grin wide. “I really love stationery. Mainly because I love writing letters. Like, actual handwritten letters. So, whenever I shop there, I always pick up a pack or two of something pretty.”

  Cade nodded. He didn’t know about her love of writing. It disappointed him too—both not knowing about her passion, but also the fact that he had never received a letter himself. “And the other?”

  “Cereal.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. “You can get cereal anywhere.”

  Kellie just shrugged. “Yeah, but I like their selection. There are so many brands. Sometimes I’ll buy a ton of boxes to try.”

  He wondered if one day, they would eat cereal together, sitting on the couch, bonding over the rising sun and dewy grass. Maybe there would be a cute puppy involved. Or one day, a pudgy baby with her big, green eyes.

  Fuck, he was whipped, and it was bad.

  Their conversation faded as they both finished up their food, the last bits of salad and flatbread disappearing from the few nice serving dishes Cade had, courtesy of his mother. When Kellie offered to help clean up, he of course turned her down, but was secretly thrilled as she followed him into the kitchen.

  As he began rinsing off each plate, preparing them to eventually be tossed in the dishwasher, he couldn’t help himself from saying what was on his mind. Especially since she was so close, just leaning against his kitchen island with a smile.

  “I’m sorry about last night,” Cade explained, yet again, his hands busy scrubbing away melted cheese from one of their plates, “I know I already apologized, but I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry I showed up, and I really appreciate you letting me stay over.”

  Since he was focused on the dishes, he couldn’t see her. But the minute the following words left her lips, he was spinning around on his heels. “It’s ok. Just a friend helping a friend.”

  Cade cleared his throat and wiped his wet hands on a dish towel. “Are we friends? I…” He shifted on his feet and returned the towel to its rightful home. “I got the impression that we weren’t.”

  Kellie sighed and walked towards him, her arms wrapped around herself. If she was seeking comfort, he was more than happy to offer it. He just wished she felt the same way.

  “Yeah, because you were being so hot and cold, Cade.” She began, watching him with those stunning emerald eyes, “You wanted us to be friends, but then you were being so standoffish and weird about TJ.”

  He cursed and looked away. Kellie was absolutely right about that. After seeing her and TJ flirting so heavily during their training sessions, he had been standoffish. Maybe a bit of a dick. Certainly abrasive. He couldn’t help it. The sight of her smiling for another guy had his heart in his throat and his head under water.

  “I told you.” He began, his voice weary, “That I was jealous.” He ran a hand through his hair, knowing how he sounded, “And I realized I initially lied about that, but I was trying to protect myself and our budding friendship.”

  Kellie dropped her arms and looked at him, frustration written across her face. “We went on one date. There was no spark, nothing. We’re just friends. So, there’s nothing to be jealous about, ok?”

  Relief flowed through his veins like a shot of adrenaline. That news was probably the best he heard all day. All week, maybe. A heavy weight seemed to lift away from his shoulders, allowing him to breathe again. Except he did disagree with Kellie. There was plenty to be jealous about.

  “There is when he makes you laugh. There is when he makes you smile.”

  At his words, she swallowed. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. “You used to do that, you know?” Her voice was so quiet. The whisper practically tickled his skin.

  “I want to do it again.” He did. Oh, god did he want to do it again.

  “Cade…”

  Looking back, he wasn’t sure if it was the longing in her voice, or her big, emerald eyes, or the rush of adrenaline from knowing that she wasn’t seeing TJ. Whatever it was called to him like a matador waving his red cape in invitation for a bull.

  And just like said bull, he charged.

  His lips met hers in a fury. As they kissed, he knew he’d never need dessert again. Not if Kellie Allen was always on his menu.

  Chapter 12

  It was just like how she remembered. Firm hands, soft lips, and a hard body overtook her senses, practically holding her hostage against the cold metal of Cade’s oversized refrigerator. She couldn’t understand—or get enough—of how hard yet soft he could be. His kisses were brutal, eating at her lips with a hunger she very much understood, yet his touches were soft and sweet, as if savoring every inch of skin he managed to feel.

  Kellie kissed him back with the same sense of urgency. She knew this was probably a terrible mistake, and she had no idea what would happen next, but she simply didn’t care. His lips felt right, his body was hard
, and she was absolutely gone.

  She needed him and she needed him now.

  When his tongue pushed into her mouth, teasing her own with a naughty reverence that had her body growing hot, she wondered how long she could even last. There was so much pent up aggression between the two of them, and the sexual chemistry they shared was scorching. Not to mention, after Cade broke her heart, along with her insanely busy schedule, she hadn’t been with anyone else. She knew that her body didn’t need much to fall apart.

  Apparently, Cade knew that too, since he immediately lifted her into his strong arms. He continued to ravish her mouth, only slowing down as he walked her down the hall of his home, presumably towards his bedroom. She certainly hoped it was. But they didn’t even make it to the door before he had her flush against the wall, one hand steadying her chin and the other sliding up her stomach to stop below her right breast.

  “Fuck,” He whispered against her lips, before kissing her again. The hand on her stomach rose until it squeezed her still clothed breast, reminding her again of their incredible size difference. His hands were absolutely massive—practically bear paws. Her breasts weren’t necessarily small, but they also weren’t large.

  Beneath his giant hands, however, they certainly felt small. His other hand slid into her hair, thick fingers gently untying her now messy braid until locks of her hair descended upon her shoulders. As one hand gripped the back of her head, keeping her face steady and her mouth on his, the other moved to hike her dress up, exposing her sky-blue panties and taut stomach to the cool evening air.

  “You’re a fucking dream,” The combination of his deep voice and hungry touch had her nearly seeing stars, “I bet you’re already so wet for me.”

  Which she was. She was always on edge around him—all she needed was his lips on hers before she officially became a pile of goo. Well, a pile of goo with skin as red as a tomato and completely soaked through panties. She was already gone, and they hadn’t even started yet.

  Kellie was momentarily blinded as he tugged her dress over her head, leaving her in just a simple cotton bra and her panties. Had she known she was going to undress in front of him, she may have considered wearing something a little more scandalous. But given the way his heated gazed skimmed over every inch of her exposed skin, she didn’t think that Cade seemed to care.